No hockey player can reach his full potential without mastering the mental side of the sport. Hockey Tough provides players and coaches proven methods for mastering the mental side of the game. Author Saul Miller shares the psychological training and emotional management techniques he has successfully taught individual hockey players and teams for over 20 years.

Throughout the book, NHL stars such as Mark Messier, Pavel Bure, Chris Pronger, and Markus Naslund offer insights and tips on a variety of topics related to achieving a winning mind-set for the sport. These players explain how to focus and score, how to deal with personality conflicts on and off the ice, and how to bounce back with confidence after a subpar performance.

Miller, one of North America’s most prolific and sought-after sport psychology consultants in hockey, presents mental exercises and assignments to help players

-develop a winning attitude on and off the ice,
-stay focused to execute skills and tactics,
-maintain the mental stamina required in this physically demanding sport,
-overcome emotional fatigue and physical aches and pains to perform at the
highest level throughout the season,
-manage their anger to avoid costly penalties in crucial game situations, and
-develop the discipline and tenacity to force and capitalize on opponents’
mistakes.

Miller presents many other topics of interest, such as the intangibles that coaches and scouts look for in players and what it takes to make it to the top level of competition.

Motivation, teamwork, leadership, and poise are essential factors to successful performance. Hockey Tough will strengthen each of these areas and help players achieve a mind-set to excel on the ice.

Contents

Foreword by Mark Messier
Acknowledgments
Introduction

Chapter 1: Managing the Mental Game
Chapter 2: Thinking in the Power Zone
Chapter 3: Imaging With Impact
Chapter 4: Controlling Emotions: Composure and Power
Chapter 5: Winning Hockey Attitude
Chapter 6: Making the Cut
Chapter 7: Playing a Winning Team Game
Chapter 8: Making the Most of Different Strokes
Chapter 9: Scoring With an Offensive Mind-Set
Chapter 10: Defending and Checking Tough
Chapter 11: Stoning the Opposition
Chapter 12: Battling Through Injury and Fatigue

References
Index
About the Author

For the past 25 years Dr. Saul Miller's coaching expertise has been helping individual athletes, teams, and coaches perform at the top of their game.

Dr. Miller holds a PhD in clinical psychology and is the author of five books. He is registered as a psychologist, clinical counselor, and mental trainer. Miller has worked in more than 25 sports with Olympic and professional athletes and teams from the NHL, NFL, CFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, PGA Tour, in Canada and the United States. One of North America's most experienced sport psychologists, Miller has helped his clients set world records and win championships and gold medals.

Miller is a member of the Coaching Association of Canada and the American Psychological Association. In his free time, he enjoys exhibiting his paintings, walking, and spending time with his wife, Laara Maxwell, at their home in Vancouver, British Columbia.

“Hockey Tough will help you get your game and your life to the next level. This stuff works!”

Cliff Ronning, NHL veteran, Minnesota Wild

“I have worked with Saul for 15 years, both as an NHL player and later as a coach. His help has been invaluable to me. He understands the game and he knows how to help the athlete and the coach perform.”

Rick Lanz, former NHL player and head coach, Langley Hornets, BCHL

“Improving your mental skills is the best tool a player can have to enhance performance. This book will show you how.”

Barry Trotz, head coach, Nashville Predators

"Dr. Miller has developed an excellent resource, thanks to his years of experience dealing with hockey players and coaches. He has simplified the mental approach players need to perform well."